Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
Pakefield Road
Lowestoft
NR33 0HT
Contact
Holly Power
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
Environment
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
CEFAS23-02 Contract for the provision of Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVS) and associated services
Reference number
CEFAS23-02
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 73112000 - Marine research services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
As part of the Blue Belt Programme, a Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) network has been established across the UK Overseas Territories. The supplier is contracted to provide unique BRUV systems, along with associated services.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £600,000
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
As part of the Blue Belt Programme, a Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) network has been established across the UK Overseas Territories. The supplier is contracted to provide unique BRUV systems, along with associated services.
Since the start of the programme in 2020, BRUVS kits have been delivered to thirteen OTs, held in person
and online training sessions, supported survey design, visited some of the OTs to provide
fieldwork support, completed analysis, shared results and knowledge within the BRUVS network,
and upgraded some of the BRUVS equipment with deeper water capabilities.
During the next phase of the programme, the focus will be on survey delivery, analysis, continual
improvement, knowledge sharing, increasing the reach of the network, and to begin to provide
educational support to the current OTs.
There is the possibility that South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and Sovereign Base Areas
of Administration for Cyprus may join the programme, which would require new BRUVS equipment,
training and potentially visits to support initial survey fieldwork in these OTs.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 100
Cost criterion - Name: Cost / Weighting: 0
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
The rig design, software and associated AI analysis rights are owned by Blue Abacus and Cefas would not be able to purchase software / AI analysis compatible with this elsewhere. BRUVS supplied by the Blue Abacus are already used in certain Overseas Territories and this purchase for Cefas would ensure that by buying the same equipment, software and AI analysis services, the data will be collected and analysed consistently with data already collected and analysed in the other Overseas Territories. Purchase of these BRUVS would support the ability to create a cross territory BRUV network as part of the Blue Belt Programme. It is therefore critical that the data informing the management and conservation of a range of species and habitats is collected in a consistent, comparable and statistically robust manner.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
Section five. Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
16 May 2023
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Blue Abacus Ltd
30 de Castro Ct, Wickhams Cay 1 – PO Box 4519, Road Town
Tortola
VG1110
Country
British Virgin Islands
NUTS code
- VG - British Virgin Islands
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £600,000
Lowest offer: £600,000 / Highest offer: £600,000 taken into consideration
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Public Procurement Review Body
N/A
N/A
N/A
publicprocurementreview@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-procurement-review-service-scope-and-remit